The Conservatives are trying to push the narrative that the Liberals don’t have an economic agenda but just want to push pot. As “proof,” they point to the fact that Trudeau’s chief financial officer and senior advisor, Chuck Rifici, plans to open a medical marijuana operation in rural Ontario. You know, under a programme that the Conservatives designed and implemented. When this was pointed out to Blaney’s office, they simply responded with “The statement speaks for itself.” Um, okay. Never mind that the community getting this new operation – which is RCMP approved – will see jobs being created. You know, jobs that this government keeps talking about. And it’s a $1.3 billion industry that’s good for the economy! But – but, Justin Trudeau! (The cognitive dissonance – it burns!)

Workers at the former Nortel Complex, which is being renovated as the new National Defence headquarters, found listening devices there, though they aren’t sure if they are recent or from old industrial espionage from the Nortel days (which was victim to some rather massive industrial espionage efforts, likely from China), nor is DND saying if the devices are still operational. There have been questions as to whether or not it makes sense to relocate DND there given the escalating costs of the renovated facility, or if another department should relocate there instead.

The two Canadians being held in Egypt are going to be detained for another 45 days, according to their family members. It was also revealed that they were beaten in prison, but their families were told not to publicise that prior in case the Egyptian authorities cut off access. And yes, John Baird has been very engaged on the file, and has been meeting with Egypt’s foreign minister several times while they are both at the UN General Assembly.

Despite making a big deal about it during his summer Arctic tour, the Harper government’s plans to replace the 60-year-old rifles used by the Canadian Rangers continues to be delayed by lack of funding. That said, people keep forgetting that they use these rifles because they don’t freeze and jam in the cold, which newer rifles are more prone to doing, and any replacements would need to be similarly robust.

Fourteen NDP MPs refused the Diamond Jubilee Medals afforded to them as MPs. While a couple made anti-monarchist statements back when it was first announced, and made a big deal of refusing them, others simply said that they didn’t feel they deserved them for simply being elected.

Over in the Bourassa by-election, Thomas Mulcair is criticising the Liberal candidate of taking a “golden parachute” – a transitional allowance afforded to departing MNAs, which Emmanuel Dubourg is. The funny part – that Mulcair took the same allowance (which was actually even more generous) when he quit provincial politics in a huff in 2007.

Rob Salerno looks at the NDP’s call for a visa ban on Russian politicians who support their country’s anti-gay legislation, and calls it out for what it is – a half-baked and wholly ineffective plan that has nothing to do with foreign affairs, and everything to do with winning the easily distracted gay community’s vote in Toronto Centre.

James Bowden makes note of something in Michael Ignatieff’s new book about when he took his oath to the Queen as an MP, and takes the opportunity to correct Ignatieff’s incorrect assumptions about what it means, and about a debate about the future of the Crown upon the Queen’s death. (Hint: Because the Crown is a corporation sole, succession is automatic, not something that can be delayed or debated at the time).

Part three of Natalie Stechyson’s look at GLBT parenting in Canada focuses on our country’s lack of an anonymous sperm donor system, seeing as Canadian law forbids the sale of sperm and has strict screening regulations.

And Scott Feschuk anticipates the questions that will accompany the release of Stephen Harper’s hockey book. Governing Canada – now almost a full-time job.